Titans Advance to Round of 16 After 3-1 Win Over USC

FULLERTON, CA -
Cal State Fullerton scored three unanswered second half goals, including the game-winner on a penalty kick by senior Marlene Sandoval, lifting the Titans into the Round of 16 after a 3-1 victory over USC in an NCAA Tournament second round match on Sunday afternoon at Titan Stadium.

The Titans won their 11th consecutive match and their 10th in a row at home in improving to 19-3 overall. With the victory, Fullerton became the first Big West Conference team to advance past the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Women of Troy finished their year 13-6-2 overall.

After a goal by USC's Jocelyn Leche in the closing minutes of the second half gave the Women of Troy a 1-0 lead, the Titans' offense exploded in the second half.

Freshman Jenesa Bradshaw proved to be the sparkplug off the bench as she tied the match with her first career goal in the 64th minute and was instrumental in Fullerton's second goal as she drove down the left sideline and was taken down by a defender in the box, giving the Titans a penalty kick opportunity.

Sandoval, who had converted on her three previous penalty kick opportunities, buried her fourth of the season in the 82nd minute to give the Titans a 2-1 advantage.

The Titans iced the match on junior Lauryn Welch's ninth goal of the season with 27 seconds remaining on the clock for the final 3-1 tally.

Cal State Fullerton outshot USC, 17-6, including a 9-2 first-half margin. Bardsley made a pair of saves to earn the win in net for the Titans while senior Rebekah Patrick had two assists for Cal State Fullerton.

The Titans now advance to face No. 2 national seed Virginia next weekend with date, time, and location to be announced.